V:12 A ghost with a human head and snake's body

On one occasion, Venerable Maha Moggallana was going on an almsround
with Venerable Lakkhana in Rajagaha. On seeing something strange, he smiled* but said nothing.
When they were back at the monastery, Moggallana explained to Lakkhana that he had
smiled because he had seen a peta-ghost with the head of a human being and
the body of a snake. The Buddha then added that he himself had seen that very peta-ghost
on the day he attained Buddhahood. The Buddha then revealed that, a very long time
ago, there was a Paccekabuddha. People going to his monastery had to pass
through a field. The owner of the field, fearing that his field would be damaged
by too many people going to and from the monastery, set fire to it. Consequently,
the Paccekabuddha had to move to some other place. The supporters of the
Paccekabuddha got very angry with the land owner, beat him, and as a result
of the beating he died. Because of his bad kamma, he was reborn to suffer
as a peta-ghost.

In conclusion, the Buddha said, 'An evil deed does not bear fruit
immediately, but it invariably follows the evil doer. There is no escape from the
consequences of an evil deed.'